Uses

Principal Proposed Uses

Other Proposed Uses

According to legend, the Greek general Achilles used yarrow to stop the bleeding of his soldiers' wounds during the Trojan War: hence the scientific name
Achillea
and the common names "soldier's wound-wort," "bloodwort," and "
herbe militaire
"

Yarrow has also been used traditionally as treatment for respiratory infections, menstrual pain, and digestive upsets.

What Is Yarrow Used for Today?

Like osha, yarrow tea is commonly taken at the first sign of a
cold or flu
to bring on sweating and, according to tradition, ward off infection. Crushed yarrow leaves and flower tops are also applied directly as first aid to stop
nosebleeds
and bleeding from
minor wounds
. However, there has not been any formal scientific study of how well yarrow works.

Dosage

To make yarrow tea, steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of water.
Combination products should be taken according to label instructions.

Safety Issues

No clear toxicity has been associated with yarrow.
1
The FDA has
expressed concern about a toxic constituent of yarrow known as thujone and
permits only thujone-free yarrow extracts for use in beverages. Nonetheless, the
common spice sage contains more thujone than yarrow, and the FDA lists sage as
generally recognized as safe.

Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or
those with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.